Biological Agents Research Articles

Integrated Disease Management, Combining Chemical and Bio-control Agents, is Effective Against Agroathelia rolfsii Infecting Eggplants

The seeds of Guibourtia coleosperma serve as potential Agroathelia rolfsii severely infects 500 plant species causing stem and root rots on plants including eggplants. This study evaluated the compatibility of integration of chemical fungicides x biological agents for the management of recalcitrant disease agents like A. rolfsii. A factorial trial was set up using the completely randomized design with each treatment being replicated thrice. Interaction of Mancozeb (at 50 and 100% concentrations) x Trichoderma species caused 29.3-100% inhibition of A. rolfsii and Ketoconazole (at 50 and 100% concentrations) x Trichoderma species caused 95.8-100% inhibition of A. rolfsii. Mancozeb (100% concentration) x T. harzianum controlled the pathogen most, followed by the T. viride combination. The percentage inhibition by chemical fungicide (main effects) ranged from 100% inhibition by Ketoconazole (100% concentration) to 97.9-100% for Ketoconazole (50% concentration), to 65.2-93.6% for Mancozeb (100% concentration) and lastly 23.3-78.6% for Mancozeb (50% concentration) with time. The percentage inhibition (main effects) ranged from 60.3-96.7% for T. virens, 60.8-92.1% for T. harzianum, and 69.3-95.8% for T. viride with time. The chemical fungicides and Trichoderma species were highly positively correlated (0.522** at p ≤ 0.05). The high concentrations of the fungicides antagonized the Trichoderma species as well, so more work should be carried out on this aspect. This approach to disease management for eggplants is highly effective using chemical x bio-control agents to safeguard eggplants from A. rolfsii. Applying this method can protect crops and result in long-term profitability. The combination of fungicides and biocontrol agents is strongly recommended for the management of this fungal pathogen.

Integrated disease management strategy for stem rot of rice caused by Sclerotium oryzae Catt

Stem rot of Rice caused by Sclerotium oryzae Catt was once thought to be a minor disease, is becoming one of the major constraints of rice production currently. An experiment was conducted in split plot design with manures, bio agents, fungicide in different treatments alone or integration at Agricultural Research station, Nellore, Andhra Pradesh for three rabi seasons of consecutive years (2019-2021). Pooled analysis of two years data revealed that among all the treatments application of farm yard manure @ 4t/ac+dhaincha @10kg/ac+ 2kg Trichoderma asperellum multiplied in 90 kg farm yard manure+10kg neem cake/ac applied to one acre through soil + two sprays of propiconazole 25EC @ 1ml/l with 15 days interval from booting to panicle emergence effectively managed the diseases with significantly least stem rot incidence (11.40%) and highest grain yield (8359 kg/ha).

Predation Efficiency and Biological Control Potential of Micromus angulatus Against Aphis craccivora

Micromus angulatus (Neuroptera: Hemerobiidae) is a widely distributed and highly effective predator that shows promise as a biological control agent against agricultural pests, particularly Aphis craccivora, the cowpea aphid, which threatens leguminous crops globally. This study aimed to evaluate the predation behaviour, search efficiency, and intraspecific interference of M. angulatus at different developmental stages, including first- to third-instar larvae and adults, in controlling adult A. craccivora populations. The results demonstrated that all developmental stages of M. angulatus exhibited predatory behaviour towards adult aphids, with the functional response fitting the Holling Type II model. The instantaneous attack rates for first-, second-, and third-instar larvae and adults were 1.0017, 1.0448, 0.9581, and 0.9508, respectively; the handling times were 0.0158, 0.0051, 0.0016, and 0.0011 days, respectively; and the theoretical maximum daily predation rates were 63.2911, 196.0784, 625, and 909.0909 aphids, respectively. The pest control efficacies were 63.3989, 204.8672, 598.8311, and 864.3192, respectively. The search efficiency at each developmental stage was negatively correlated with aphid density, which decreased as the prey density increased, with second-instar larvae showing the greatest decrease and adults the least. When the aphid density was fixed, the daily predation rate of individual M. angulatus decreased with increasing conspecific density, indicating that predation was affected by its own density, with the interference effect equation being E = 0.6194P−0.87. These findings indicate that M. angulatus, especially in the third-instar larval and adult stages, has considerable potential as a biological control agent for managing A. craccivora populations in agricultural settings. This study contributes valuable insights for developing sustainable agricultural practices by decreasing reliance on chemical pesticides.

Monoclonal Antibodies for the Treatment of Ocular Diseases

Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) have revolutionized the landscape of cancer therapy, offering unprecedented specificity and diverse mechanisms to combat malignant cells. These biologic agents have emerged as a cornerstone in targeted cancer treatment, binding to specific antigens on cancer cells and exerting their therapeutic effects through various mechanisms, including inhibition of signaling pathways, antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC), complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC), and antibody-dependent cellular phagocytosis (ADCP). The unique ability of mAbs to engage the immune system and directly interfere with cancer cell function has significantly enhanced the therapeutic armamentarium against a broad spectrum of malignancies. mAbs were initially studied in oncology; however, today, treatments have been developed for eye diseases. This review discusses the current applications of mAbs for the treatment of ocular diseases, discussing the specificity and the variety of mechanisms by which these molecules exhibit their therapeutic effects. The benefits, drawbacks, effectiveness, and risks associated with using mAbs in ophthalmology are highlighted, focusing on the most relevant ocular diseases and mAbs currently in use. Technological advances have led to in vitro production methods and recombinant engineering techniques, allowing the development of chimeric, humanized, and fully human mAbs. Nowadays, many humanized mAbs have several applications, e.g., for the treatment of age-related macular disease, diabetic retinopathy, and uveitis, while studies about new applications of mAbs, such as for SARS-CoV-2 infection, are also currently ongoing to seek more efficient and safe approaches to treat this new ocular disease.

Side effects of semi-synthetic insecticide spinetoram on the whitefly parasitoid Encarsia formosa.

Insecticide risk assessment for biological control agents is essential for implementing integrated pest management (IPM) programs. Spinetoram is a naturally derived insecticide used to control a variety of agricultural sap-sucking insect pests, and Encarsia formosa Gahan (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) plays a key role in the biocontrol of greenhouse whiteflies. Despite its presumed safe ecotoxicological profile, the side effects of spinetoram on E. formosa are partially unknown, especially at sublethal doses. In the laboratory, we estimated the lethal concentrations (LC) of spinetoram on E. formosa by topical exposure of pupae and 48 h residual contact exposure of emerged adults. Afterwards, we assessed the impact of spinetoram LCs on the life history traits (juvenile development, adult longevity, parasitism, adult emergence) and population growth parameter (the instantaneous rate of increase, ri) of the parasitoid. Probit analysis allowed the estimation of LC10 = 0.10 mg/L, LC50 = 0.56 mg/L, and LC90 = 3.28 mg/L. Spinetoram at LC10 had no impact on the observed parameters of E. formosa. Conversely, spinetoram at LC50 and LC90 significantly reduced adult longevity by 19.2% and 40.6%, total parasitism by 33.4% and 38.7%, and total adult emergence by 29.6% and 39.1%, respectively. Also, the ri of E. formosa was significantly affected by spinetoram LC50 and LC90 with a reduction of 8.17 and 29.83%, respectively. Our results suggested that spinetoram significantly threatens the effectiveness of E. formosa when applied at the field recommended rate. However, further validation of spinetoram under greenhouse conditions is required for a comprehensive risk assessment for E. formosa in IPM programs. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

PENDAMPINGAN PEMBUATAN PUPUK DAN PESTISIDA ORGANIK GUNA MENDUKUNG USAHA BUDIDAYA STROBERI PADA KELOMPOK TANI SIDA URIP DESA SERANG KEC. KARANGREJA PURBALINGGA

Strawberries have various benefits for human health so they are widely loved by the public. Serang Village, Karangreja District, Purbalingga. This village is located on the slopes of Mount Slamet with an altitude of about 650 - 1,600 m dp is one of the centers of strawberry cultivation in Central Java, but since 2016 it has experienced a decline in production due to poor quality seeds, high fertilizer prices, declining soil fertility and the existence of pests and plant diseases. The purpose of this research-based community service activity is to implement the results of the research to solve the problems that exist in the Sida Urip farmer group, provide training in making organic fertilizers and pesticides, assist in the practice of making organic fertilizers and pesticides, improve skills in maintaining strawberry plants, so that it can increase strawberry production The method used in this activity is Rural Appraisal Participation, which is the active involvement of all elements of the target audience, the stages of the activity include: Survey, socialization of activities, training, practice, demonstration plot making and evaluation. The results of the activity showed that there was an increase in the knowledge and skills of farmer groups in making compost and biological agents to support environmentally friendly strawberry cultivation. The eco-friendly strawberry demonstration plot produces 38.69 kg/bed of strawberries and conventional strawberry cultivation land produces 37.45 kg/bed. The assistance carried out by the service team also increased enthusiasm and cohesiveness among members of the Sida Urip farmer group.

Clinical Effectiveness of Biological Immunomodulators in SARS-CoV-2-Associated Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children: A Systematic Review.

Although there is consensus to use immunoglobulins and corticosteroids as first-line treatments for multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C), the effectiveness of biological immunomodulators in patients refractory to standard therapy remains unclear. We aimed to outline real-world data on biological immunomodulators. A literature search using Ovid-Medline, EMBASE, Cochrane CDSR, and KMBASE was conducted from September 2021 to August 2022; certainty of evidence was assessed via GRADE. Among 258 studies, 10 were selected for analysis, of which 2 were observational studies (with control groups receiving standard therapy of either intravenous immunoglobulins and/or glucocorticoids) and 8 were single-arm studies. In all, 145 patients were treated with biological immunomodulators (anakinra (72; 49%) or infliximab (65; 44%)). In the first observational study, patients in the anakinra group initially exhibited a lower left ventricular ejection fraction than those in the control group. In the second study, patients in the infliximab group required less additional therapy and showed lower newly developed left ventricular dysfunction rate and reduced C-reactive protein levels. The clinical outcomes associated with each biological agent in single-arm studies were not reported individually. Biological immunomodulators are feasible therapeutic options for refractory MIS-C. Nevertheless, further research is warranted to demonstrate clinical efficacy.

Animal Derived Bioplastic: An Environment Responsive Substitute to Combat Climate Change

Plastics derived from fossil fuels are an important part of modern life and it is the most commonly used material in every industrial sector. The use of plastics is increasing day by day and its degradation has become a great challenge. Moreover, non-degradable plastic polymers tend to accumulate as waste in the environment posing a major ecological threat and climate change issues. Therefore, the identification of microbes that can grow easily on plastic and the novel biological agents with exert degradative potential on plastic material have been reviewd herein. In light of these, the enzymatic process can lead to the conversion of plastic into water, carbon dioxide, and methane as a byproduct. Furthermore, fossil fuels utilized to make plastic items are going to be shortened, therefore scientists are finding novel biobased alternatives. In this regard, starch can be promising biopolymer for bioplastic synthesis after understanding underlysing the biological deterioration process and biotic as well as abiotic mechanisms. Hence, this review specifically presents an extensive evaluation of bioplastic from animal waste that can bring revolutionary changes in the environment to mitigate the climate changes.

Safety and Efficacy of Extracorporeal Photopheresis for Acute and Chronic Graft-versus-Host Disease.

Background/Objectives: Despite novel biological agents, steroid-dependent or -refractory graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) remains a severe complication of allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT). Extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP) is an alternative, non-immunosuppressive treatment for patients with acute (aGvHD) or chronic (cGvHD) GvHD. The aim of this study was to investigate the safety and efficacy of ECP in the treatment of acute and chronic GvHD; Methods: We prospectively studied 112 patients with cGvHD who received one or more previous lines of treatment and 28 patients with steroid-dependent or refractory grade II-IV aGvHD post-alloHSCT. Results: In terms of severe aGvHD, most of the patients (19/28) responded to ECP treatment, while the five-year overall survival (OS) was 34%. After adjustment for several confounder factors, the reduction in immunosuppression (p = 0.026) and number of ECP sessions (p < 0.001) were associated with improved OS. Regarding chronic GvHD, only 19 patients failed to respond to ECP treatment; though significantly lower rates of response were presented in patients with visceral involvement (p = 0.037) and earlier post-transplant GVHD diagnosis (p = 0.001). Over a follow-up period of 45.2 [interquartile range (IQR): 5.6-345.1] months, the 5-year cumulative incidence (CI) of cGvHD-related mortality was 21.2% and was significantly reduced in patients with ECP response (p < 0.001), while the 5-year OS was 65.3%. Conclusions: Our results confirm the safety and efficacy of ECP in patients with GvHD and provide sufficient data for further investigation and the best combination drugs needed such that GvHD will not be the major barrier of allo-HCT in the near future.

Synthesis of bioactive quercetin-boronate esters as a novel biological agent: Enzyme inhibition, anti-microbial properties, computational insights and anti-cancer activity

This study introduces a novel synthesis for the quercetin-boronate esters (QB1-QB4) for some biological applications. The structure of low-cost, easily synthesized, and functionalizable trigonal planar quercetin-boronate esters was characterized by 1H, 13C, and 11B NMR spectra, FT-IR spectra, UV–Vis spectra, LC-MS/MS spectrometry, elemental analysis, and melting point measurement. Following the successful synthesis studies, quercetin-boronate esters have been tested over glucosidase enzyme inhibition, antimicrobial studies, computational insights, and in vitro anti-cancer activity against pancreatic cancer cells, respectively. QB1 significantly decreased cell viability at a 50 µM concentration compared to other boron compounds. The enzyme inhibition studies on quercetin-boronate esters demonstrated that α-glucosidase enzyme inhibitions were higher than the reference compound. IC50 values of QB1-QB4 against α-glucosidase were 5.92, 5.54, 5.68, and 6.79 μM, repsectivey. As expected, quercetin-boronate esters exhibited respectable activity against the biofilms of some bacteria. The MIC values of QB1-QB4 were 32.5 μg/mL against Enterococcus faecalis. In addition, the binding parameter values and binding sites were determined as a result of docking studies of quercetin-boronate esters. As a result of the scientific findings, quercetin-boronate ester compounds will certainly become important building blocks used in the future from organic synthesis to materials science and medicine.

Revisiting biochemical pathways for lead and cadmium tolerance by domain bacteria, eukarya, and their joint action in bioremediation.

With the advent rise is in urbanization and industrialization, heavy metals (HMs) such as lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) contamination have increased considerably. It is among the most recalcitrant pollutants majorly affecting the biotic and abiotic components of the ecosystem like human well-being, animals, soil health, crop productivity, and diversity of prokaryotes (bacteria) and eukaryotes (plants, fungi, and algae). At higher concentrations, these metals are toxic for their growth and pose a significant environmental threat, necessitating innovative and sustainable remediation strategies. Bacteria exhibit diverse mechanisms to cope with HM exposure, including biosorption, chelation, and efflux mechanism, while fungi contribute through mycorrhizal associations and hyphal networks. Algae, especially microalgae, demonstrate effective biosorption and bioaccumulation capacities. Plants, as phytoremediators, hyperaccumulate metals, providing a nature-based approach for soil reclamation. Integration of these biological agents in combination presents opportunities for enhanced remediation efficiency. This comprehensive review aims to provide insights into joint action of prokaryotic and eukaryotic interactions in the management of HM stress in the environment.

Accidents in Laboratories Working with Pathogenic Biological Agents

Accidents in Laboratories Working with Pathogenic Biological Agents

Development of Smallpox Antibody Testing and Surveillance Following Smallpox Vaccination in the Republic of Korea.

Background: Despite its global eradication in 1977, smallpox remains a concern owing to its potential as a biological agent, thereby prompting the ongoing development and utilization of its vaccine. Vaccination with the Vaccinia virus induces immunity against variola virus, the causative agent of smallpox; however, this immunity does not extend to viruses of different genera within the Poxviridae family. In this study, we aimed to assess the efficacy of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method utilizing Vaccinia virus and recombinant A27L antigen for detecting antibodies against smallpox. Methods. An analysis of the serum from 20 individuals pre- and post-vaccination with the CJ strain (CJ50300) revealed neutralizing antibodies, which were confirmed using the plaque reduction neutralization test (PRNT). The ELISA method, validated with a PRNT50 cut-off value of >4, exhibited a sensitivity and specificity of >95% and was particularly reactive with the inactivated virus. Furthermore, adherence to the smallpox vaccination policy revealed significant differences in Orthopoxvirus antibody levels among 300 individuals of different age groups. These findings highlight the reliability and efficacy of the ELISA method in detecting post-vaccination antibodies and contribute significantly to diagnostic methods to prepare for potential smallpox resurgence and bioterrorism threats.

Targeting the Sphingosine-1-Phosphate Pathway: New Opportunities in Inflammatory Bowel Disease Management.

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), including Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) are chronic immune-mediated diseases which primarily target the intestines. In recent years, the development and regulatory approval of various immunotherapies, both biological agents and small molecules, that target specific pathways of the IBD-associated inflammatory cascade have revolutionized the treatment of IBD. Small molecules offer the advantages of oral administration and short wash-out times. Sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) is a bioactive metabolite of ceramide, which exerts its functions after binding to five G-protein-coupled receptors (S1PR1-S1PR5). Concerning IBD, S1P participates in the egress of lymphocytes from the secondary lymphoid tissue and their re-circulation to sites of inflammation, mainly through S1PR1 binding. In addition, this system facilitates the differentiation of T-helper cells towards proinflammatory immunophenotypes. Recently, S1P modulators have offered a valuable addition to the IBD treatment armamentarium. They exert their anti-inflammatory function via sequestration of T cell subsets in the lymphoid tissues and prevention of gut homing. In this review, we revisit the role of the S1P/S1PR axis in the pathogenesis of IBD and discuss efficacy and safety data from clinical trials and real-world reports on the two S1PR modulators, ozanimod and etrasimod, that are currently approved for IBD treatment, and comment on their potential positioning in the IBD day-to-day management. We also present recent data on emerging S1P modulators. Finally, based on the successes and failures of S1PR modulators in IBD, we discuss future avenues of IBD treatments targeting the S1P/S1PR axis.

Role of white rot fungi in sustainable remediation of heavy metals from the contaminated environment

ABSTRACT Heavy metal contamination has severe impacts on the natural environment. The currently existing physico-chemical methods have certain limitations, restricting their wide-scale application. The use of biological agents like bacteria, algae, and fungi can help eliminate heavy metals without adversely affecting flora and fauna. Due to their inherent ability to withstand adverse environmental conditions, nowadays, mycoremediation approaches are receiving considerable attention for heavy metal removal from contaminated sites. In this review, we emphasised the role of white rot fungi in remediation of heavy metal along with different factors influencing biosorption, effects on exposed fungi, and the mechanisms involved. Bibliometric analysis tools have been applied to literature search and trend analysis of the research on white rot fungi-mediated heavy metal removal. Annual growth rates and average citations per document are 5.08% and 35.48, respectively. Phanerochaete chrysosporium, Pleurotus ostreatus, and Trametes versicolor have been widely explored for the remediation of heavy metals. In addition to providing some prospects, the review also highlighted a few limitations, including inconsistent removal and effects of environmental factors influencing the functioning of white rot fungi. Overall, white rot fungi have been found to have immense potential to be widely utilised for sustainable remediation of heavy metal-contaminated environments.

Healthcare Utilization and Geographic Distribution of Advanced Therapy in Minority Race and Ethnic Groups With Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

Biases in healthcare pose challenges for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients from underrepresented races and ethnicities. Our study aimed to assess the quality of and access to care among underrepresented racial and ethnic populations using a diverse database. We used the OneFlorida Data Trust, representing over half of Florida's population. We performed a retrospective study from 2012 to 2020. Advanced IBD therapies included a prescription of at least 1 biologic agent or tofacitinib. Disease activity markers included C-reactive protein (CRP), hemoglobin (Hgb), albumin, and white blood cell (WBC). Regression analyses compared the rates of medication use, healthcare utilization, and disease severity by race and ethnicity. Geographic distribution of advanced IBD therapy was analyzed at the county level. Our study included 10 578 patients. Hispanic patients utilized more biologics than non-Hispanic White (NHW) patients (odds ratio [OR]: 1.3, P<.0001). Non-Hispanic Black patients utilized more steroids than NHW (OR: 1.2, P=.0004). Hispanics had fewer visits to emergency departments (EDs) and fewer admissions compared with NHW (OR: 0.7 and 0.6, respectively; P<.0001). Non-Hispanic Black patients visited ED more frequently than NHW patients (OR: 1.3, P<.0001). Hispanics had lower disease activity markers than NHW based on CRP (OR: 0.5, P=.005), Hgb (OR: 0.4, P<.0001), albumin (OR: 0.7, P<.0001), and WBC (OR: 0.5, P<.0001). Geographic distribution of advanced IBD therapy showed clustered areas in southern and northern Florida. Our data show an improved access to care pattern in Hispanic patients. However, disparities still exist, and this is evident in the healthcare utilization trends observed among non-Hispanic Black patients.

Decontamination of Biological Agents in Wastewater through Synergetic Oxidative Methods as an Effective Approach for Safeguarding Public Health and Aquatic Ecosystems

We employed a highly concentrated model of wastewater to conduct our research, accurately mimicking the composition of wastewater generated by milk processing enterprises. Wastewater contained milk protein, carbohydrates, and whey sugars. Domestic wastewater, which served as a source of indicator fecal microorganisms, was added to them. The water purification and disinfection scheme involved treating a model wastewater using the biosorption method with an immobilized biocenosis in a laboratory installation, followed by further purification and disinfection in a decontamination tank. In comparison, we assessed the degree of microorganism elimination using distinct methods such as ozonation, hydrogen peroxide treatment, and combination of О3/Н2О2. It has been demonstrated that model wastewater, purified and disinfected using the AOPs method, also contains dissolved oxygen, which is non-toxic to aquatic microbiota.

Macrophage and chondrocyte phenotypes in inflammation.

Inflammation is a complex biological process protecting the body from diverse external threats. Effectively performing this task requires an intricate, well-regulated interplay of different cells and tissues. Furthermore, several cells participating in inflammation can assume diverse phenotypes. A classic and relatively well-studied example of phenotypic diversity in inflammation is macrophage polarization. Based on the TH1/TH2 phenotypes of T helper cells, this scheme has proinflammatory "classical/M1" activation contrasted with the anti-inflammatory and healing-promoting "alternative/M2" phenotype. Some authors have extended the concept into an M17 phenotype induced by the classic TH17 cytokine IL-17. Phenotypic changes in chondrocytes have also been studied especially in the context of osteoarthritis (OA), and there are indications that these cells can also assume polarized phenotypes at least partly analogous to those of TH cells and macrophages. The therapeutic success of biological agents targeting TH1/TH2/TH17 inductor and/or effector cytokines displays the utility of the concept of polarization. The aim of this focused review is to survey the internal and external factors affecting macrophage and chondrocyte phenotypes (such as inflammatory cytokines, widely used medications and natural products) and to explore the possibility of ameliorating pathological states by modulating these phenotypes.

Epidemiological investigation of different types of Crohn's disease patients undergoing first abdominal surgery in the era of biological agents: a population-based cohort study.

Before the era of biological agents, most Crohn's disease patients required at least one intestinal resection surgery after diagnosis. However, clinical data regarding the abdominal surgery rates for Crohn's disease patients in the era of biological agents is not yet fully clear and needs to be updated. We retrospectively collected clinical data from 1115 Crohn's disease patients diagnosed and treated medically at The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University from January 2016 to January 2024. Using abdominal intestinal resection surgery as a clinical outcome, propensity score matching was employed to eliminate confounding factors. We explored the timing and proportion of abdominal surgery in patients with different Montreal classifications of Crohn's disease during the natural course of the disease, as well as the impact of the duration of the natural course and the use of biological agents on surgical outcomes. Montreal classification type B had the greatest impact on Crohn's disease surgery, especially with a higher proportion of type B3 patients undergoing surgery. Type A1 Crohn's disease patients underwent surgery earlier than types A2 and A3. The occurrence of behavior changes (B Change) during the natural course of the disease is a poor prognostic signal, indicating a significantly increased likelihood of surgery. The duration of the natural course from the onset of gastrointestinal symptoms to diagnosis and clinical observation outcomes did not directly affect the likelihood of surgery in Crohn's disease patients. Compared with Crohn's disease patients who did not receive biological agents, the surgery rate was significantly lower in patients who used biological agents. Additionally, Crohn's disease patients who received biological agents within 1 month of diagnosis had a significantly lower likelihood of undergoing surgical intervention. Moreover, Crohn's disease patients who received biological agent treatment within 19 months of the onset of gastrointestinal symptoms also had a significantly lower likelihood of undergoing surgery than other Crohn's disease patients. In the era of biological agents, the risk of surgical intervention varies among Crohn's disease patients with different Montreal classifications, particularly when there is type B3 disease or a B Change. Clinicians should pay closer attention to surgical indications in such cases. For Crohn's disease patients, shortening the natural course before diagnosis and early use of biological agents after diagnosis can significantly reduce the risk of abdominal surgery.

Occupational Exposures, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Tomographic Findings in the Spanish Population.

Self-reported occupational exposure was previously associated with COPD in the Spanish population. This study aimed to analyse the relationship between occupational exposure to various chemical and biological agents, COPD, emphysema, and the bronchial wall area, which was determined by lung computed tomography (CT) in 226 individuals with COPD and 300 individuals without COPD. Lifetime occupational exposures were assessed using the ALOHA(+) job exposure matrix, and CT and spirometry were also performed. COPD was associated with high exposure to vapours, gases, dust and fumes (VGDF) (OR 2.25 95% CI 1.19-4.22), biological dust (OR 3.01 95% CI 1.22-7.45), gases/fumes (OR 2.49 95% CI 1.20-5.17) and with exposure to various types of solvents. High exposure to gases/fumes, chlorinated solvents and metals (coefficient 8.65 95% CI 1.21-16.09, 11.91 95%CI 0.46- 23.36, 14.45 95% CI 4.42-24.49, respectively) and low exposure to aromatic solvents (coefficient 8.43 95% CI 1.16-15.70) were associated with a low 15th percentile of lung density indicating emphysema. We conclude that occupational exposure to several specific agents is associated with COPD and emphysema in the Spanish population.